Pistol grip for a portable terminal with an internal receptacle for a stylus

ABSTRACT

A handle for a portable terminal having a user interface configured for interaction with a stylus. The handle comprises a handle body having the grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of the user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to a housing of the portable computer, and a distal end of the grip portion. The handle has a receptacle connected to the handle body and located in the interior of the handle body, such that the receptacle is adapted for releasably retaining the stylus in the interior of the handle body. The handle body  21  has an aperture for facilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle. The receptacle has at least one arm having a first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) adapted for engaging a second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion) of the stylus for providing the releasable retaining of the stylus when resident in the receptacle. The arm is biased towards a first position for facilitating the engagement of the first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/or notch/groove) with the second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a stylus storage mechanism for a handle of aportable terminal.

BACKGROUND

It is generally known to provide a handle for scanning device such as aportable scanner for logistics environments. However, such known handlesare typically either molded as an integral portion of the housing of thescanning device, or are connected to the housing using fasteners andcorresponding tools. In either case of a fastened handle, detachment ofthe handle from the scanning device is at best problematic, dependingupon the tools available in the field to a user of the scanning device.In the case of an integral or otherwise permanently bonded handle to thehousing of the scanning device, desired removal of the handle is notpossible without potentially damaging the housing. Accordingly, currentscanner handles may not allow for easy removal (e.g., for replacement,repair, cleaning, alternative configuration of the scanning device,etc.). Further, attaching the handle to the housing in a releasablefashion, while providing for a control connection between a trigger ofthe handle and electronic components of the scanning device, isproblematic.

A further disadvantage of current portable scanning devices is hiddenstorage of a stylus for interacting with a user interface of thescanning device. Typically the stylus of the device is attached (e.g.via a cord) and fastened to an external surface of the device housing orhandle, when not in use by the user of the device. Unfortunately, theseexternal storage techniques of stylus can result in damage to thehousing of the device, misplacement (e.g. loosing) of the stylus by theuser, and/or positioning of the stylus in an awkward location on thedevice/handle that may interfere with the user when operating thescanning device without the current need for the stylus.

Further, triggers of current handles may not be ergonomicallycomfortable for operation by many different users having different sizedhands. As such, the known handles and triggers can provide anon-contoured/ergonomic grip configuration, which tends to make suchknown triggers uncomfortable to use (e.g. premature fatigue felt by thehand of the user).

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle for aportable terminal to obviate or mitigate at least some of theabove-presented disadvantages.

Typically the stylus of the device is attached (e.g. via a cord) andfastened to an external surface of the device housing or handle, whennot in use by the user of the device. Unfortunately, these externalstorage techniques of stylus can result in damage to the housing of thedevice, misplacement (e.g. loosing) of the stylus by the user, and/orpositioning of the stylus in an awkward location on the device/handlethat may interfere with the user when operating the scanning devicewithout the current need for the stylus. Contrary to current handlesthere is provided a handle for a portable terminal having a userinterface configured for interaction with a stylus. The handle comprisesa handle body having the grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand ofthe user of the portable terminal, a proximal end of the grip portionfor coupling to a housing of the portable computer, and a distal end ofthe grip portion. The handle has a receptacle connected to the handlebody and located in the interior of the handle body, such that thereceptacle is adapted for releasably retaining the stylus in theinterior of the handle body. The handle body 21 has an aperture forfacilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle. The receptaclehas at least one arm having a first shaped feature (e.g. protrusionand/or notch/groove) adapted for engaging a second shaped feature (e.g.corresponding notch/groove and/or protrusion) of the stylus forproviding the releasable retaining of the stylus when resident in thereceptacle. The arm is biased towards a first position for facilitatingthe engagement of the first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion and/ornotch/groove) with the second shaped feature (e.g. correspondingnotch/groove and/or protrusion).

A first aspect is a handle for a portable computer having a userinterface configured for interaction with a stylus, the handlecomprising: a handle body having a grip portion shaped for grasping by ahand of a user of the portable computer, a proximal end of the gripportion for coupling to a housing of the portable computer, and a distalend of the grip portion; a receptacle connected to the handle body andlocated in an interior of the handle body, the receptacle adapted forreleasably retaining the stylus in the interior of the handle body, thehandle body having an aperture for facilitating access of the stylusinto the receptacle; and at least one member of the receptacle having afirst shaped feature adapted for engaging a second shaped feature of thestylus for providing the releasable retaining of the stylus whenresident in the receptacle, the member biased towards a first positionfor facilitating the engagement of the first shaped feature with thesecond shaped feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the following drawings, by way of example only, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side view of components of a portable terminal forinteraction with a logistics environment;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the portable terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a proximal end view of a handle of the terminal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows an example coupling operation of an embodiment of thehandle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 a a rear side view of the handle of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 b a side view of the handle of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 6 a shows an example latch configuration section A-A view of FIG. 5a as a releasable coupling between the handle and the terminal of FIG.1;

FIG. 6 b shows a further view of the latch configuration of FIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the latch configuration of FIGS.6 a and 6 b;

FIG. 8 shows an example assembled stylus configuration of the handle ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 a shows an example stylus of the stylus configuration of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 b is an example receptacle for the stylus of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 c shows a top section view B-B of the receptacle of FIG. 8;

FIG. 9 d is an alternative embodiment of the receptacle of FIG. 9 c;

FIG. 10 a is an alternative embodiment of the stylus of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 10 b is an alternative embodiment of the receptacle of FIG. 9 b;

FIG. 11 shows an disassembly of the stylus configuration of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 shows a partial assembly of the stylus configuration of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the receptacle of FIG. 9 b;

FIG. 14 shows an example actuation assembly of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the actuation assembly of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 shows an alternative embodiment of the actuator mechanism ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top rear perspective view of the portable terminal of FIG.1; and

FIG. 18 is a bottom front perspective view of the portable terminal ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Portable Terminal 10

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a portable terminal 10 for providingimaging and/or scanning features (and/or functions) in datacapture/communications 12 and asset tracking/management, for example inwireless communication 14 with tracking (e.g. information) objects 16(e.g. barcode labels and/or RFID tags) present in one or more logisticsenvironments 18 (e.g. industrial, retail, supply chain). It isrecognised that the tracking objects 16 can be attached to products thatare being transported from one location to another in the logisticsenvironment 18. Examples of these environments 18 can include such asbut not limited to: front store retail and/or warehousing for mobilestock checking, price checking, and merchandising; and utilities formeter reading, surveying, parking enforcement, and asset tracking.

The portable terminal 10 can have an optional handle 20, connected via arelease securable connection 22, to an enclosure 23 of a handheldcomputer 24. It is also recognised that the handle 20 may be permanentlyor otherwise fixedly attached (e.g. not releasable) to the enclosure 23by fastening means such as but not limited to: protrusions engaged inslots, latch mechanisms, fasteners (e.g. screws), adhesives or otherbonding agents, etc. Further, it is recognised that the handle 20 may beformed (e.g. molded) as integral to at least a portion of the enclosure23. It is recognised that in the description, the terms “housing” and“enclosure” can be used interchangeably.

The computer 24 has a number of components 19 including a user interface26, including a keyboard 28 and a display 30 (e.g. touch screen), one ormore onboard processors 32 (e.g. inside of the enclosure 23), and ascanner/radio communications module 34 (e.g. laser, WLAN with VoIP andBluetooth, imager, etc.—inside of the enclosure 23) for facilitating thewireless communication 14. The portable terminal 10 also has an onboardpower source 36 for helping to satisfy power requirements of the onboardprocessor(s) 32, the user interface 26, and optionally the communicationmodule 34.

Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 20 is shaped for grasping by a hand (notshown) of a user of the portable terminal 10, a body 21 of the handle 20having a proximal end 50 for coupling to the enclosure 24 of thecomputer 26, a distal end 52, and a grip portion 54 between the ends50,52 for grasping by the hand of the user. The grip portion 54 canoptionally have an overmold portion 56, preferably made of a resilientlyflexible material (e.g. rubber or other suitable polymers), forenhancing the grip of the user's hand on the body 21 of the handle 20.The overmold portion 56 can be referred to as an additional layer formedaround the first part (e.g. body 21) that can be a previously moldedpart that is reinserted into a secondary mold for forming the additionallayer on the previously molded part. For example, after injection andforming of the first molded part, i.e. the body 21, the component isrotated on a core from the one mold cavity to another. The second moldcavity is different from the first mold cavity in that the detail forthe second molded part is included and used to add the overmold potion56. The material (e.g. rubberized polymer) for the second molded part(i.e. the overmold 56) is then injected into the second mold cavitydetail before the completed part (i.e. handle 20 and overmold portion56) is ejected from the second mold. It is recognised that one exampleembodiment of the handle 20 is where the body 21 is made of a hard/rigidplastic material (e.g. thermoplastic polymer) while the overmold 56 ismade of a softer, resilient material (e.g. thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)materials) that is adhered to the material/substrate (e.g. polypropene(PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), Nylonetc.) of the body 21, thus facilitating a combined comfortable,non-slip, and abrasion-resistant grip portion 54 of the handle 20. It isrecognised that other fabrication methods can be used to assemble theovermold 56 to the body 21 of the handle 20, as known to a personskilled in the art. It is also recognised that the overmold portion 56can also be referred to as a resilient covering that can be bonded orotherwise adhered to the exterior surface of the handle body 21. It isrecognised that an overmolding process is one example embodiment of thebonding/adhering of the resilient cover (e.g. the portion 56) to thegrip portion 54 of the handle body 21.

The proximal end 50 can be attached to the grip portion 54 of the body21 via a plurality of fasteners 70 (e.g. screws), see FIG. 3, which canbe configured to releasably secure the proximal end 50 to the gripportion 54, as desired.

The handle 20 also has an actuator assembly 43 (shown in dotted linesunderneath the overmold portion 56). The actuator assembly 43 can have araised portion 58, for facilitating user identification of the actuatorassembly 43 underneath the overmold 56. Alternatively, or in addition,the overmold 56 can have an indicator section 60 for indicating to theuser the location of the actuator assembly 43 on the grip portion 54underneath the overmold 56. The indicator section 60, can have amaterial texture, colour, and/or shading different from other materialof the overmold 56.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the proximal portion 50 of the handle 20 hasa first surface 62 configured for mating with a second surface 64 of theenclosure 23 of the computer 24, such that a depression portion 63 ofthe first surface 62 can be configured to accommodate the shape (e.g.protruding portion 64 a) of the enclosure 23 surrounding thecommunications module 34 (see FIG. 1). Maintaining the mating of thefirst surface 62 with the second surface 64 is facilitated by theconnection 22, as further described below.

Connection 22 Configuration

Referring to FIG. 2, the handle 20 is shaped for grasping by a hand 140(see FIG. 15) of a user of the portable terminal 10. The handle 20 iscoupled to the computer 24 via the connection 22, which includes both amechanical coupling 38 for retaining the handle 20 as physicallyattached to the enclosure 23 (e.g. frame) and a control coupling 40 forfacilitating communication (e.g. instruction/control signals 42) betweenthe actuator assembly 43 (e.g. trigger) of the handle 20 and one or morecomponents 19 of the computer 24.

Control Coupling 40

Further, for example, the control coupling 40 can be configured toinclude an electrical contact 40 a (e.g. printed circuit board (pcb)connectors such as electrically conductive pads) coupled to one or morecomponents 19 of the computer 24 and a mating electrical contact 40 b(e.g. pogo pins) coupled to the actuator assembly 43, as furtherdescribed below. The electrical contact 40 b is configured to establisha temporary operative electrical connection between the actuatorassembly 43 and one or more components 19 of the computer 24 via theelectrical contact 40 a. It is recognised that the contact 40 a can bethe electrically conductive pad(s) and the contact 40 b can be the pogopins, as desired.

For example, the pogo pin can take the form of a slender cylindercontaining two spring-loaded pins, such that when pressed between twoelectronic circuits (e.g. of the computer 24 via the electrical contact40 a and the actuator assembly 43), points at each end of the pogo pinmake secure electrical contacts with the two electronic circuits andthereby connect them together. It is recognised that the actuatorassembly 43 is configured for affecting the operation of one or more ofthe components 19 of the computer 24 via the instruction/control signals42 generated through physical interaction (e.g. depressing of thetrigger) of user with the actuator assembly 43. Further, an optionalseal 68 (e.g. made of resilient material such as but not limited torubber and other resilient polymers) can be positioned around aperiphery of the contact(s) 40 a,b (e.g. see FIG. 3) as part of thecontrol coupling 40, in order to inhibit the ingress of water or otherforeign matter between the contacts 40 a,b when the handle 20 is coupledto the enclosure 23 via the mechanical coupling 38.

Further, it is recognised that the mating of the electrical contact 40 awith the electrical contact 40 b, i.e. the control coupling 40, caninclude a biasing member 40 c for facilitating the mating contactbetween the contacts 40 a,b when the mechanical coupling 38 is engaged.One example of the biasing member 40 c is the springs of the pogo pins.Another example of the biasing member 40 c is a resilient arm includedin the configuration of at least one of the contacts 40 a,b, therebybiasing the contacts 40 a,b against one another when they are broughtinto proximity with one another during engagement of the mechanicalcoupling 38. In any event, due to the biased nature of the contacts 40a,b with respect to one another, it is recognised that mating of thecontrol coupling 40 is configured so as not to interfere/inhibit withthe operation (e.g. attachment and release) of the mechanical coupling38. It is also recognised that the biasing member 40 c can be includedin the contact 40 a, in the contact 40 b or in both of the contacts 40a,b, as desired.

Mechanical Coupling 38

For example, the mechanical coupling 38 can be configured to include oneor more slots 38 a and mating protrusions 38 b (with lip 45) and one ormore latches 38 c (with lip 45) and corresponding slots 38 d on opposingsides 79 of the proximal portion 50, as further described below. It isrecognised that the slots 38 a can be located on the enclosure 23 andthe protrusions 38 b located on the handle 20 as shown, the slots 38 acan be located on the handle 20 and the protrusions 38 b located on theenclosure 23 (not shown), or a combination thereof. Further, thelatch(s) 38 c can be located on the handle 20 and the correspondingslot(s) 38 d on the enclosure 23 (as shown), the latch(s) 38 c can belocated on the enclosure 23 and the corresponding slot(s) 38 d on thehandle 20 (not shown), or a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, the mechanical coupling 38 is configured so as tofacilitate attachment of the optional handle 20 to the enclosure 23without the aid of additional tools and corresponding fasteners (e.g.screwdrivers and screws, etc.). Further, the mechanical coupling 38 isconfigured so as to be compatible with a specified drop rating of theportable terminal 10, while facilitating the retention of the handle 20to the enclosure 23, once attached, until subsequently released by theuser through operation of the latch(s) 38 c. In order to attach thehandle 20 to the enclosure 23, the protrusions 38 a can beengaged/inserted 70 into the slots 38 b (resulting in contact of thelips 45 (see FIGS. 5 a,b and 6 a,b) with an interior surface 25 (e.g. ofthe enclosure 23) that is adjacent to the slots 38 b), and then thehandle 20 can be pivoted 72 about the engaged protrusions 38 a and slots38 b towards the enclosure 23 so as to engage the latch(es) 38 c withthe corresponding slot 38 d (resulting in contact of the lip 45 with theinterior surface 25 that is adjacent to the slot 38 d).

Once engaged, the first external surface 62 of the proximal portion 52is located adjacent to the second external surface 64 of the enclosure23 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The engagement of the latch(es) 38 c with theslot(s) 38 d also causes the mating of the electrical contacts 40 a,b inorder to provide or otherwise enable the control coupling 40. It isrecognised that the latch 38 c and/or the protrusions 38 bproject/extend outwardly from the surface 62 of the handle, whenpositioned thereon, and the latch 38 c and/or the protrusions 38 bproject/extend outwardly from the surface 64 of the enclosure 23, whenpositioned thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a,b and 6 a,b, the latch 38 c has a protrusion 44(that projects transversely (or otherwise outwardly) from the surface62—see FIG. 3) with a lip 45 configured for engaging 72 (see FIG. 4)with the slot 38 d (see FIG. 2). The protrusion 44 is coupled to thebody 21 of the handle 20 by an arm 46 that has a resilient connection 48(e.g. at a base 150 of the arm 46) to the body 21. For example, theresilient connection 48 can be configured as integrally connected withthe material of the body 21 with a slit 80 between the body 21 and thearm 46 on either side 152 of the arm 46. Another example of theresilient connection 48 is a button 47 on the arm 46 and spring 49interposed between the button 47 and the arm 46, see FIG. 7. Thepositioning of an abutment surface 55, further described below,restricts travel 57 of the arm 46 (in a gap 59 between the arm 46 andthe body 21) during engagement 72 of the latch 38 c with thecorresponding slot 38 d. It is recognised that other resilientconnection 48 configurations can be used for the latch 38 c, as apparentto one skilled in the art.

The slits 80 in the wall 84 of the body 21 on either side 152 of the armbase 150 can be varied in length and/or separation distance with respectto one another so as to facilitate the configuration of a degree ofresiliency of the resilient connection 48. For example, a distancebetween the ends of the slits adjacent to the base 150 can facilitatethe degree of resiliency of the resilient connection. Further, the slits80 can be arcuate in shape along their length.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 a,b, the resilient connection 48 is used tobias the latch 38 c towards a first position 74 (see FIG. 6 a byexample) as compared to a second position 76 (see FIG. 6 b by example),whereby positioning of the latch 38 a towards the abutment surface 55 inthe second position 76 facilitates engagement 72 of the protrusion 44with the slot 38 d while positioning of the latch 38 a away from theabutment surface 55 of the first position 74 facilitates the retentionof the protrusion 44 in the slot 38 d via the interaction between thelip 45 and the inside surface 25 of the slot 38 d, once engaged 72 anduntil removed 72. For example, FIG. 6 a shows the position of the latch38 c in the first position 74 and external/unengaged with the slot 38 d,while FIG. 6 b shows the position of the latch 38 c in the secondposition 76 (towards the abutment surface 55) and internal/engaged withthe slot 38 d.

Subsequent release of the latch 38 c by the user results in displacement57 of the latch 38 c away from the abutment surface 55 and then contactoccurs with the arm 46 with a side of the slot 38 d, thus providing fora releasably secure engagement 72 of the handle 20 with the enclosure23, until the latch 38 c is subsequently displaced 57 towards the secondposition 74 and the protrusion 44 is removed 72 from the slot 38 d toprovide for detachment of the handle 20 from the enclosure 23 (e.g. suchthat the lip 45 of the protrusion 44 is disengaged from the insidesurface of the enclosure 23, thus facilitating the removal of theproximal surface 62 away from the adjacent surface 64.

In view of the above, it is recognised that the above example operationof the latch 38 c with the slot 38 d can be done before the protrusions38 b are inserted into the slots 38 a (e.g. the engagement 72 isperformed before the engagement 70—see FIG. 4) or as shown such that theengagement 70 is performed before the engagement 72. As well, it isrecognised that the latch(es) 38 c could be in the location of theprotrusions 38 b and the protrusion(s) 38 b could be in the location ofthe latch(es) 38 c, as desired. For example, the protrusions 38 b arelocated on either side of the depression portion 63 of the proximalportion 50, so as to engage with the corresponding slots 38 a on eitherside of a portion of the enclosure 23 housing the communications module34 (e.g. protruding portion 64 a). Further, the location of the latches38 c and/or the protrusions 38 b could be located other than as shown(e.g. on opposing sides 78—see FIG. 3) of the proximal portion 50 ascompared to opposing ends 79 of the proximal portion 50.

Accordingly, provided is the handle 20 for the portable computer 10having one or more scanning functions for interacting with informationobjects 16 in the logistics environment 18. The handle 20 is releasablysecured with the housing 23 of the portable computer 10 such that onceattached, the handle 20 facilitates directional pointing of the portablecomputer 10 by the user. The handle comprises the handle body 21 havingthe grip portion 54 shaped for grasping by the hand of the user of theportable computer 10, the proximal end 50 of the grip portion 54 forcoupling to the housing 23 of the portable computer 10 such that theproximal end 50 having the proximal surface 62 for mating with theadjacent surface 63 of the housing 23, and the distal end 52 of the gripportion 54. The handle also has the actuator assembly 43 for affectingthe operation of the one or more scanning functions and is located inthe grip portion 54 of the handle body 21, the actuator assembly 43 forcoupling via the control coupling 40 to one or more components 19 of theportable computer 10 providing the one or more scanning functions. Thehandle also has the releasable connection mechanism 38 positioned on theproximal surface 62 including the operable latch 38 c extendingoutwardly from the proximal surface 62 and adapted for engaging with thecorresponding first slot 38 d in the adjacent surface 63 of the housing23, and at least one protrusion 38 b extending outwardly from theproximal surface 62 on a side 78,79 of the proximal surface 62 opposite(e.g. opposed to) to the operable latch 38 c and adapted for engagingwith the corresponding second slot 38 a in the adjacent surface 63 ofthe housing, wherein the control coupling 40 is established once theproximal surface 62 is mated with the adjacent surface 63 throughengagement of the releasable connection mechanism 38.

It is recognised that in view of the above, the depression portion 63 isshaped to accommodate the corresponding protruding portion 64 a on theadjacent surface 64 of the housing 23. For example, the handle 20 canhave a pair of the protrusions 38 b, such that one of the pair of theprotrusions 38 b is located on either side of the depression portion 63and the adjacent surface 64 has a corresponding pair of the second slots38 a located on either side of the protruding portion 64 a of thehousing 23. Alternatively, the handle 20 can comprising a pair of theslots 38 a, such that one of the pair of the slots 38 a is located oneither side of the depression portion 63 and the adjacent surface 64 hasa corresponding pair of the protrusions 38 b located on either side ofthe protruding portion 64 a of the housing 23. Alternatively, the handle20 can have one slot 38 a and one protrusion 38 b on either side of thedepression portion 63 and the enclosure can have a correspondingconfiguration of one protrusion 38 b and one slot 38 a, as desired.Further, it is recognised that the surface of the depression portion 63can have a protrusion 38 b for engaging with a corresponding slot 38 alocated on the protruding portion 64 a of the enclosure 23. Further, itis recognised that the surface of the depression portion 63 can have aslot 38 a for engaging with a corresponding protrusion 38 b located onthe protruding portion 64 a of the enclosure 23.

Stylus 90

Referring to FIGS. 5 a and 8, shown is a stylus 90 housed/stored in aninterior 88 of the walls 84 of the handle 20 (shown by cut away portion87), for use as part of the user interface 26 (see FIG. 1) of thecomputer 24. The stylus can have an arcuate tip 94 (e.g. rounded) at oneend, a narrow elongated portion 92 (e.g. body), similar to a ballpointpen or other traditional writing instrument, and a textured portion 96at the other end that is configured for grasping by the user of theportable terminal 10 (see FIG. 1). The textured portion 96 can bearcuate in shape or otherwise have a surface 144 that is oriented at anacute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis 93 of the receptacle106, thereby facilitating removal of the stylus 90 from the receptacle106 through pressure exerted by the user's finger(s) and/or thumb.

The stylus 90 is used as an input method of the user interface 26, suchthat the stylus 90 may not secrete ink, rather is configured to touch atouch screen (e.g. the display 30) instead of the user's finger to helpinhibit getting the natural oil from the user's hands onto the display30. The stylus 90 can also be configured so that the tip 94 is shaped soas to help improve precision of touch with the display 30, thusproviding for the presence of smaller interface elements on the display30. The stylus 90 can be configured for handwriting or drawing on thedisplay 30 by the user. Positioning of the stylus 90 in the interior 88of the handle 20 facilitates ease of storage until subsequently releasedfrom the interior 88 of the handle 20 of the terminal 10 for subsequentuse by the user with the user interface 26 (see FIG. 1).

Referring to FIGS. 9 a,b, the elongated portion 92 has one or morenotches and/or grooves 100 configured for receiving one or moreprotrusions 102 located on one or more resilient arms 104 of the body21. The arms 104 can be configured so as to be independently operable,so as to become displaced to either side of the stylus 90, once inserted108 into (see FIG. 11—or otherwise removed 108 from) the receptacle 106coupled to a wall 84 of the body 21. The receptacle 106 has a proximalopening/aperture 116 for receiving the tip 94 of the stylus, a body 115for contacting a side surface 146 (e.g. the notches and/or grooves 100)of the elongated portion 92 of the stylus 90 for facilitating retentionof the stylus 90 in the receptacle 106, and a distal end 114 of the arms104. The distal end 114 may be open or closed, as long as the arms 104are independently operable with respect to one another. The receptacle106 is shown located at the distal end 52 of the handle 20, by exampleonly, and provides for access and storage of the stylus 90 in theinterior 88 of the handle 20. It is recognised that the receptacle 106can also be located in the grip portion 54 of the body 21, as desired.

The notch 100 can extend around at least a portion of a cross-sectionalperiphery of the exterior surface of the stylus 90 and the correspondingprotrusion 102 can extend around at least a portion of the interiorsurface of the member 104 of the receptacle 106. For example, the notch100 can be a groove extending around the circumference of the stylus 90.Further, the arms 104 can be referred to as members 104. The member 104as an arm 104 can have a proximal end 142 connected to a distal end 140by a central portion 144 (see FIG. 10 b for example) and the biasing ofthe arm 104 is due to a resiliency of the material composition of thearm 104 as connected at the proximal end 142 to the body 21. Forexample, the arm 104 is rigidly connected at the proximal end 142 to thehandle body 21 and the distal end 140 is adapted to be displaced away112 from an exterior surface of the stylus 90 when received in thereceptacle 106.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 11, the resilient arms 104 are used to bias thebody 115 towards a first position 121, as compared to a second position122 (see FIG. 12 by example), whereby inserting the stylus 90 from theproximal end 116 towards the distal end 114 facilitates engagement 72 ofthe protrusions 102 with the notches and/or grooves 100, therebydisplacing 112 the arms 104 from the first position 121 to the secondposition 122 and then back to the first position 121. Positioning of thearms 104 in the first position 121, when the stylus 90 is present in thereceptacle 106, facilitates the retention of the stylus 90 in thereceptacle 106 via the engagement of the protrusions 102 in thenotches/grooves 100, until removed therefrom via subsequent displacement112 of the arms 104.

Referring to FIGS. 9 c,9 d, shown are example embodiments of an end viewB-B of the arms 104, at any desired location(s) 110 along the elongatedportion 92 of the stylus 90, such that an interior surface 105 of thearms 104 is shaped (e.g. arcuate) so as to contact an exterior surface146 of the stylus 90 at two or more locations 110 along exterior surface146, thus facilitating contact between the arms 104 and the stylus 90.It is also recognised that the contact at the multiple locations 110 canalso be provided by multiple sets of protrusions 102 received incorresponding notches and/or grooves 100, in addition to, in combinationwith, and/or in substitution of the correspondingly shaped surfaces146,105.

The arms 104 are connected to or are otherwise extensions of the wall84. Referring to FIGS. 10 a,b, it is recognised that the arms 104 couldbe alternatively connected to the walls 84 using secondary connections148, as desired, and the notches 100 can be located on one or more ofthe arms 104, can be located in the same or different (shown in FIG. 10b) locations on each of the arms 104, and/or be configured as connecteddirectly to the wall 84, as desired.

Referring again to FIG. 11, shown is the stylus 90 located externally tothe interior 88, prior to insertion 108. The arms 104 are formed from atube shaped receptacle 106, by example only, with one or more slots 109cut into the tube wall at the distal end 114 of the tube, so as toprovide for the two or more arms 104 operable 112 with respect to onceanother, i.e. the arms 104 are resilient so as to accommodate the crosssectional extent of protrusions 102 prior to being received in thenotches and/or grooves 100. As the stylus 90 is travels along the body115 of the receptacle 106, contact between the elongated portion 92 ofthe stylus 90 and the protrusions 102 causes the resilient arms 104 toincrease in separation distance (see FIG. 12) with respect to oneanother in order to accommodate the elongated portion 92 beingpositioned between the opposing protrusions 102 of the adjacent arms104. Further insertion 108 of the stylus 90 into the receptacle causesthe protrusions 102 to become received in the notches/grooves 100, thusreturning the arms 104 from the second position 122 to the firstposition 121.

Further, for example, for removal once the stylus 90 is engaged (i.e.retained) within the receptacle 106, FIG. 8 shows the position of thearms 104 in the first position 121 and the stylus retained within thereceptacle 106, via engagement of the protrusions 102 with thenotches/grooves 100. FIG. 12 shows the increase in separation distancebetween the arms 104, i.e. in the second position 122 as displaced 112away from the surface 146 of the elongated portion 92 of the stylus 90,as the protrusions 102 become disengaged with the notches/grooves 100.Subsequent removal 108 of the stylus 90 from the receptacle 106 causesthe arms 104 to return to the first position 121 as shown in FIG. 11,thus releasing the stylus 90 from the handle 20 of the terminal 10 forsubsequent use by the user with the user interface 26 (see FIG. 1).Further, referring to FIGS. 9 b and 12, a proximal end 150 of the stylus90 can have an abutment surface 91 for contacting a correspondingabutment surface 91 of the body 21 of the handle 20, as desired, theabutment surfaces 91 for restricting a magnitude of displacement of thestylus 90 into the receptacle 106.

Referring to FIG. 13, it is also recognised that one of the arms 104 canbe fixed (i.e. rigid) in position relative to one or more resilientsecond arms 104, such that displacement 112 of the resilient arm(s) 104provides for an increase in the separation distance between the arms104, thus facilitating the engagement of the protrusions 102 with thenotches/grooves 100. It is also recognised that the body 115 of thereceptacle 106 can be configured to include only one resilient arm 104that is biased with respect to the wall 84 of the body 21, thusfacilitating the retention of the stylus 90 between the one arm 104 andthe wall 84 (and/or other rigid secondary structures 106 of the body21). It is also recognised that the notches/grooves 100 can bepositioned in the arm(s) 104 and the protrusions 102 can be positionedon the elongated portion of the stylus 90, so long as the protrusions102 can be inserted through the proximal end 116 of the receptacle 106.It is also recognised that the notches 100 also refer to holes in a wallof the stylus 90 having a hollow core (not shown) of the elongatedportion 92, for example, and/or in as a hole in the arm(s) 104, asdesired.

In view of the above description of the protrusions 102 andcorresponding notches/grooves 100, it is recognised that the arms 104and the corresponding stylus 90 can be configured using any of theconfigurations of same, shown by example in FIGS. 9-15.

Accordingly, as described above, a handle 20 is given for a portableterminal 10 having a user interface 26 configured for interaction withthe stylus 90, the handle 20 comprising: the handle body 21 having thegrip portion 54 shaped for grasping by the hand 140 of the user of theportable terminal 10, the proximal end 50 of the grip portion 54 forcoupling to the housing 23 of the portable computer 10, and the distalend 52 of the grip portion 54; the receptacle 106 connected to thehandle body 21 and located in the interior 88 of the handle body 21, thereceptacle 106 adapted for releasably retaining the stylus 90 in theinterior 88 of the handle body 21, the handle body 21 having an aperturefor facilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle; and at leastone member 104 (e.g. arm) of the receptacle 106 having a first shapedfeature (e.g. protrusion 102 and/or notch/groove 100) adapted forengaging a second shaped feature (e.g. corresponding notch/groove 100and/or protrusion 102) of the stylus 90 for providing the releasableretaining of the stylus 90 when resident in the receptacle 106, themember 104 biased towards a first position 121 for facilitating theengagement of the first shaped feature (e.g. protrusion 102 and/ornotch/groove 100) with the second shaped feature (e.g. correspondingnotch/groove 100 and/or protrusion 102).

Alternatively the handle 20 can include the handle body 21 have thereleasable connection mechanism 38 positioned on the proximal surface 62including the operable latch 38 c extending outwardly from the proximalsurface 62 and adapted for engaging with the corresponding first slot 38d in the adjacent surface 64 of the housing 23, and at least one slot 38a on the side 78,79 of the proximal surface 62 opposite to the operablelatch 38 c and adapted for engaging with the corresponding protrusion 38b extending outwardly from the adjacent surface 64 of the housing 23;wherein the control coupling 40 is established once the proximal surface62 is mated with the adjacent surface 64 through engagement of thereleasable connection mechanism 38.

Alternatively, the handle 20 can include the handle body 21 thereleasable connection mechanism 38 positioned on the proximal surface 62including the first slot 38 d for engaging with the correspondingoperable latch 38 c extending outwardly from the adjacent surface 64,and at least one protrusion 38 b extending outwardly from the proximalsurface 62 on the side 78,79 of the proximal surface opposite/opposingto the first slot 38 d and adapted for engaging with the correspondingsecond slot 38 a on the adjacent surface 64 of the housing 23; whereinthe control coupling 40 is established once the proximal surface 62 ismated with the adjacent surface 64 through engagement of the releasableconnection mechanism 38.

Alternatively, the handle 20 can include the handle body 21 thereleasable connection mechanism 38 positioned on the proximal surface 62including the first slot 38 d for engaging with the correspondingoperable latch 38 c extending outwardly from the adjacent surface 64,and at least second slot 38 a of the proximal surface 62 on the side78,79 of the proximal surface opposite/opposing to the first slot 38 dand adapted for engaging with the corresponding protrusion 38 bextending outwardly from the adjacent surface 64 of the housing 23;wherein the control coupling 40 is established once the proximal surface62 is mated with the adjacent surface 64 through engagement of thereleasable connection mechanism 38.

Actuator Assembly 43

Referring again to FIG. 2, the actuator assembly 43 is configured foraffecting the operation of one or more of the components 19 of thecomputer 24 via the instruction/control signals 42 generated throughphysical interaction (e.g. depressing of the trigger from a firstposition to a second position) of the user with the actuator assembly43. As is shown by example, the grip portion 54 has the resilientcovering, for example, portion 56, preferably made of a resilientlyflexible material, for enhancing the grip of the user's hand on the body21 of the handle 20. The actuator assembly 43 (shown in dotted linesunderneath the resilient covering 56) has a raised portion 58 on a faceportion 58, for facilitating user identification of the actuatorassembly 43 underneath the overmold 56. The raised portion 58 projectsin a direction transverse or otherwise extending outwards from thesurface of the grip region 54, and can be optionally covered by theresilient covering 56.

The resilient covering 56 can be used to cover a gap 131 (see FIG. 14)between an actuator body 120 and an opening or aperture 133 of theadjacent wall 84, in which the actuator body 120 is positioned, so as toinhibit foreign matter (e.g. water) penetration into the interior 88 ofthe body 21. It is also recognised that the resilient covering 56 canonly be adhered to the body 21 of the handle and not to the actuatorbody 120, thus providing for unhindered actuation/displacement of theactuator body 120 with respect to the handle body 21. Otherwise, in thecase where the resilient covering 56 is also adhered to exteriorsurfaces 138 of the actuator body 120 and the handle body 21, theresilient covering 56 material is sufficiently resilient/elastic innature to provide for corresponding actuation/displacement of theactuator body 120 with respect to the handle body 21, in order to resultin sufficient switching of the switch 134 by a control arm 132 (see FIG.14), when the actuator assembly 43 is displaced into the interior 88 ofthe handle body 21 from the first position to the second position.Accordingly, the switch 134 is mounted in the interior 88 of the handlebody 21, such that the switch 134 facilitates generation of the controlsignal 42 for affecting the operation of the one or more scanningfunctions of the portable terminal 10, the switch 134 operated as aresult of the actuator body 120 being displaced from one of the firstand second positions to the other of the first and second positions.

Alternatively, or in addition, the resilient covering 56 can have anindicator section 60 for indicating to the user the location of theactuator assembly 43 on the grip portion 54 underneath the resilientcovering 56. The indicator section 60, can have a material texture,colour, and/or shading different from other material of the resilientcovering 56 and/or can have a label identifying the location of theactuator body 120 underneath the resilient covering 56. Accordingly, theindicator section 60 can be use by the user to help identify theactuator assembly 43 region of the handle 20 from the remainder of thegrip region 54, which can be beneficial in inhibiting accidentalactuations of the actuator assembly 43. Inhibiting of accidentalactuations can be desirable in view of conserving battery 36 life aswell as reducing exposure of the environment 18 (see FIG. 1) to thewireless communications 14 (e.g. laser).

Referring to FIG. 14, shown is the example actuator assembly 43 with theresilient covering 56 and exterior shell of the body 21 removed to showthe interior 88 of the handle 20. The actuator assembly 43 has theactuator body 120 connected to the body 21 at a proximal end 124 by apivot point 122 (e.g. hinge with an optional biasing member such as acoiled spring, etc.) and at a distal end 126 to a member 128 (e.g. abiasing member such as a spring). The biasing member(s) are configuredfor biasing the actuator body 120 towards an unactivated/unactuatedposition 129 (e.g. the first position at which the control signals 42are not generated). The member 128 is also connected to the body 21(e.g. the arm 104). Depression of the actuator body 120 in a direction130 in to the interior 88 of the body 21, about the pivot point 122,from the biased position 129 causes the control arm 132 (connected tothe actuator body 120) to activate/depress the switch 134 when theactuator assembly 43 is displaced into the second position. Activationof the switch 134 generates the control signals 42, or otherwise causesa circuit 136 (optional) to generate the control signals 42. The controlsignals 42 are communicated via the electrical contact 40 b to thecomputer 24, when coupled to the handle 20 (see FIG. 1). The switch 134and the optional circuit 136 are also mounted on the body 21 of thehandle 20.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 16, the pivot point 122 can be locatedat the distal portion 126 of the actuator body 120 and the member 128can be located at the proximal portion 124. Further, it is recognisedthat the pivot point 122 and/or the member 128 can be located at therespective end of the portions 124,126 and/or can be located adjacent tothe respective end of the portions 124,126, as desired.

It is recognised that the first position can be the unactuated positionand the second position can be the actuated position (i.e. of theswitch) or the first position can be the actuated position and thesecond position can be the unactuated position (i.e. of the switch), asdesired. Further, it is recognised that the biasing member(s) can biasthe actuator body to either the first position or the second position,as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the actuator body 120 has a plurality oftrigger/actuation regions 136 a,b,c for contact by the user's hand 140,in order to actuate the actuator mechanism 43. For example, the usercan: put pressure on the actuator region 136 c to cause the switch 134to be depressed; put pressure on the actuator region 136 b to cause theswitch 134 to be depressed; and/or put pressure on the actuator region136 a to cause the switch 134 to be depressed, as described above. Oncethe actuator body 120 is released by the user's hand 140, the biasingmember(s) (e.g. member 128 and/or 122) moves the actuator body 120 backtowards the unactivated/unactuated position 129.

The actuator body 120 is shaped so as to provide for these differenttrigger regions 136 a,b,c, either alone or in combination. For example,the trigger region 136 a of the body 120 can start adjacent at one end(e.g. substantially flush with—e.g. the surfaces 138 at the ends of theactuator body 120, that are adjacent to the exterior surface of thehandle body 21, are substantially parallel to one another) to the wall84 of the body 21 and then incline/rise to towards the raisedportion/point 58 at the other end. The trigger region 136 c of the body120 can start adjacent at one end (e.g. substantially flush with) to thewall 84 of the body 21 and then incline/rise to towards the raisedportion/point 58 at the other end. The trigger region 136 b can bepositioned at the raised portion/point 58. In this manner, the triggerportions 136 a,c are connected to one another at the raisedportion/point 58 and their outside surfaces 138 can be oriented at anobtuse angle (any angle more than 90° but less than 180°) as measuredbetween the outside surfaces 138 of the face portion 59. It is alsorecognised that the pivot point 122 can be positioned at the end 126 andthe biasing member 128 at the other end 124, such that the switch 134 isconfigured to be activated when any of the trigger regions 136 a,b,c aredepressed.

Further, it is recognised that one or more of the actuator regions 136a,b,c can be actuated at any one time by the user's hand 140 (e.g. onefinger can contact the actuator region 136 c, one finger can contact theactuator region 136 b, one finger can contact the actuator region 136 a,one finger can contact the actuator region 136 c together with anotherfinger contacting the actuator region 136 b, one finger can contact theactuator region 136 a together with another finger contacting theactuator region 136 b, one finger can contact the actuator region 136 atogether with another finger contacting the actuator region 136 c, orone finger can contact the actuator region 136 c together with anotherfinger contacting the actuator region 136 b together with another fingercontacting the actuator region 136 a).

It is recognised that the configuration of the raised portion 58 and thesurfaces 138 of the face portion 59 of the actuator body 120 can be asdescribed above as well as in other configurations. The one embodimentdescribed is where the first inclined surface 138 and the secondinclined surface 138 of the face portion 59 are configured such that thefirst inclined surface 138 rises from one end of the face portion 59 tothe raised portion 58 and the second inclined surface 138 rises from theother end of the face portion 59 to the raised portion 58, such that theraised portion 58 is positioned between the ends of the face portion130. Another configuration is where the inclined surface rises from oneend of the face portion 59 to the raised portion 58 located at the otherend of the face portion 59, such that there is only on inclined surface138 of the actuator body 120.

Further, the inclined surfaces 138 can be planar and/or arcuate inshape. In the case of arcuate inclined surfaces 138, they can be concavefor providing a contoured surface for interaction with the one or morefingers of the user's hand 140.

In view of the above, it is recognised that manipulation of any of thetrigger regions 136 a,b,c, either alone or on combination, provides thesame movement 130 of the actuator body 120 about the pivot point 122 andthus provides a same/similar tactile feel to the user each time theswitch 134 is activated. Further, it is recognised that the ends of thetrigger regions 136 a,c can be as shown (e.g. flush with the adjacentwall 84 of the body 21), or can be raised (e.g. at a different height)with respect to the adjacent wall 84 of the body 21 to further denotethe presence of the actuator body 120 under the overmold 56, as desired.

Other Features

Referring to FIG. 2, also shown is an expansion cover 140 for use inpositioning 143 in a correspondingly shaped depression 142 surroundingthe electrical contacts 40 a, when the handle 20 is not connected to theenclosure 23. The expansion cover 140 can be used to When the handle 20is to be connected to the enclosure 23, the expansion cover 140 isremoved from the depression 142, thus exposing the electrical contact 40a (and the slot 138 d), and then stored in a similarly shaped depression144 in the proximal end 50 of the handle 20 (see FIG. 3). Connection ofthe handle 20 to the enclosure 23 provides for the expansion cover 140to be retained between the handle 20 and the enclosure 23 until thehandle 20 is once again detached from the enclosure 23 and the expansioncover 140 is replaced in the depression 142. The expansion cover 140 isused to inhibit foreign matter (e.g. water) penetration into theinterior of the body enclosure, via the slot 38 d, and/or fouling of theelectrical contact 40 a, when the handle 20 is not connected/coupled tothe enclosure 23.

Therefore, as further described below, the handle 20 is configured forconnection to the enclosure 23 of the portable terminal 10, such thatthe portable terminal 10 has one or more scanning functions forinteracting with information objects 16 in the logistics environment 18.The handle 20 has the handle body 21 having the grip portion 54 shapedfor grasping by the hand 140 of the user of the portable terminal 10,the proximal end 50 of the grip portion 54 for coupling to the housing23 of the portable terminal 10, and the distal end 52 of the gripportion 54. The actuator assembly 43 is configured for affecting theoperation of one or more scanning functions and is positioned in theaperture 133 of the handle body 21 for access by one or more fingers ofthe user's hand 140. The actuator assembly 43 includes the actuator body120 connected at a proximal portion to the handle body 21 by the pivotconnection 122, the biasing member(s) for biasing the actuator body 120towards the first position, and the face portion 59 of the actuator body120 configured for contacting with the one or more fingers such that theface portion 59 has the raised portion 58 for defining the plurality ofactuator regions 136 a,b,c for interaction with the one or more fingersfor facilitating the rotation 130 of the actuator body 120 about thepivot connection 122 for displacement from the first position to thesecond position into the interior 88 of the handle body, wherein thedisplacement of the actuator body 120 affects the operation of the oneor more scanning functions (e.g. via activation of the switch 134 by thecontrol arm 132.

1. A handle for a portable computer having a user interface configuredfor interaction with a stylus, the handle comprising: a handle bodyhaving a grip portion shaped for grasping by a hand of a user of theportable computer, a proximal end of the grip portion for coupling to ahousing of the portable computer, and a distal end of the grip portion;a receptacle connected to the handle body and located in an interior ofthe handle body, the receptacle adapted for releasably retaining thestylus in the interior of the handle body, the handle body having anaperture for facilitating access of the stylus into the receptacle; andat least one member of the receptacle having a first shaped featureadapted for engaging a second shaped feature of the stylus for providingthe releasable retaining of the stylus when resident in the receptacle,the member biased towards a first position for facilitating theengagement of the first shaped feature with the second shaped feature.2. The handle of claim 1, wherein one of the shaped features is a notchand the other of the shaped features is a corresponding protrusion sizedto fit in the notch.
 3. The handle of claim 2, wherein the notch islocated on an exterior surface of the stylus and the protrusion islocated on a surface of the member providing an interior surface of thereceptacle.
 4. The handle of claim 3, wherein the notch extends aroundat least a portion of a cross-sectional periphery of the exteriorsurface of the stylus and the protrusion extends around at least aportion of the interior surface of the member of the receptacle.
 5. Thehandle of claim 4, wherein the notch is a groove extending around acircumference of the stylus.
 6. The handle of claim 2, wherein themember is an arm having a proximal end connected to a distal end by acentral portion and the biasing of the arm is due to a resiliency of thematerial composition of the arm.
 7. The handle of claim 6, wherein thearm is rigidly connected at the proximal end to the handle body and thedistal end is adapted to be displaced away from an exterior surface ofthe stylus when received in the receptacle.
 8. The handle of claim 7,wherein the notch is located on the exterior surface of the stylus andthe protrusion is located on the arm providing an interior surface ofthe receptacle.
 9. The handle of claim 8, wherein the displacement ofthe distal end of the arm away from the exterior surface of the stylusis due to the interaction between the protrusion and the exteriorsurface of the central portion.
 10. The handle of claim 2 furthercomprising a pair of the members of the receptacle, the pair of membersbeing positioned in the interior opposite to one another each of themembers having at least one first shaped feature for engaging with acorresponding second shaped feature of the stylus, each of the pair ofmembers being operable independently of each other.
 11. The handle ofclaim 10, wherein each of the members is an arm having a having aproximal end connected to a distal end by a central portion and thebiasing of the arm is due to a resiliency of the material composition ofthe arm.
 12. The handle of claim 11 further comprising opposing interiorsurfaces of the arms being arcuate in shape for facilitating contact ofan exterior surface of the stylus at multiple locations.
 13. The handleof claim 12 further comprising the pair of arms connected at a distalend of a tube of the receptacle, the proximal end of the tube beingconnected to the aperture and located in the interior of the handlebody.
 14. The handle of claim 13 further comprising a pair of slots in asidewall of the tube so as to provide the pair of arms as operableindependently of each other.
 15. The handle of claim 14, wherein thenotch is located on an exterior surface of the stylus and the protrusionis located on a surface of the member providing an interior surface ofthe receptacle.
 16. The handle of claim 15, wherein the notch is a holein the wall of the stylus having a hollow core.
 17. The handle of claim2 further comprising an abutment surface of the handle body adjacent tothe receptacle for engaging with an abutment surface of the stylus at adistal end of the stylus for restricting a magnitude of displacement ofthe stylus into the receptacle.
 18. The handle body of claim 17, whereinthe receptacle is located at the distal end of the handle body.
 19. Thehandle of claim 18 further comprising an exterior surface of the distalend of the stylus oriented at an acute angle with respect to alongitudinal axis of the receptacle.
 20. The handle of claim 19 furthercomprising the distal end exterior surface having a textured portion forenhancing a grip of the user with the distal end of the stylus.